Shakespeare Week launched by Floella Benjamin

THE third annual Shakespeare Week was launched in a live digital broadcast by children’s television presenter Baroness Floella Benjamin, at the Shakespeare Centre, in Stratford-upon-Avon, this afternoon (Monday).

It was estimated by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust that 1.5 million pupils across the country were reached, in the hour-long broadcast entitled Walking with Will.

It was filmed live in front of 120 pupils from St Andrew’s Primary School, in Shottery, Stratford Primary School, in Broad Street, St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School and Alveston Primary School.

Floella, known for presenting Play School and Play Away, is the patron for Shakespeare Week and told the Herald ahead of the broadcast: “I’m very excited about the launch, as it will reach a lot of children who will not necessarily have reached Shakespeare’s treasures that are here.”

The launch featured a pre-recorded guided tour of Shakespeare’s Birthplace, carried out by Bridgetown Primary School pupils. It was the first time that a filmed guided tour has taken place of the birthplace.

To watch the digital broadcast visit shakespeareweek.org.uk/events/walk-in-williams-footsteps/

For the full story, see the Herald on Thursday.